“Were you frightened, Richard?” she asked him, pulling away.
He frowned and shook his head. “If the Medium suffered me to die, I would have joined countless others who have lost their lives defending our beliefs. I was more concerned with how the Medium would punish the Naestors for my death. They have been humbled by what transpired this . . . day?” A smile quirked on his mouth. “I had not even considered halting the setting of the sun and reversing it, but it is mentioned . . . only once . . . in the tomes. A battle was being fought long ago, and the mastons knew they would be defeated if night fell. The Aldermaston leading the fight made the maston sign in full view of his army, and it halted the sun for three hours. That was centuries ago, and it is the only reference I am aware of to anyone invoking that power. The Medium obviously inspired you.”
“Tell her about the Dochte Mandar,” Joanna urged him.
“Let me get to the point quickly. The Naestors are convinced, utterly and completely, that the teachings of the Dochte Mandar are false. When the sun came back, many of their warriors fled in terror. The majority fell down and started worshipping me, thinking that I had done it. While the choir was still singing, they hurriedly escorted me back to the abbey as a peace offering, and that was when I learned that it was you who had summoned the Leerings. The chieftains rounded up all the Dochte Mandar and seized their kystrels, ripping the chains from those who did not cast the amulets away themselves in fear. They did not fight it. There were eight hundred and fifty to be precise. We have blacksmiths destroying them even now. The Naestors are completely submissive, Maia, and fearful of the future. They rely wholly on the Dochte Mandar to invoke their Leerings in Naess and are afraid of living in the dark and by the light of torches.”
Maia pursed her lips. “We must build an abbey in Naess for them,” she said firmly. “We will send mastons—”
Richard smiled, pleased. “I already suspected you would feel that way. And so this is what I proposed after speaking to the Privy Council as well as the other Aldermastons and leaders who have gathered here at Muirwood. They all wish to know if you approve of their plan. If the Naestors enter into a covenant agreeing that they will not attack the other kingdoms, they will be permitted to leave in peace without their weapons. We, in turn, will promise to continue trading relations with Naess and to teach them the crafts they do not know. Their people are mostly warriors, Maia. Some are fishermen and a few are farmers. They have earned their bread mostly through stealing and raiding. They need to be taught, and we have knowledge to impart to them.”
Maia liked the idea very much. “No retributions,” she said, nodding. “No punishments. But what if they refuse? And what of Corriveaux?”
Joanna looked at her intently and answered. “He and the other Dochte Mandar are under guard. Those who refuse to make the covenant will be banished from the kingdoms forever. The chieftains told us of an uninhabited island between here and Assinica where they can be exiled. The Naestors also promised to release all of their political prisoners, including Chancellor Walraven and your grandmother.”
“Thank Idumea!” Maia sighed.
Richard nodded. “Indeed. Though many of the rulers of the other kingdoms still want vengeance and retribution. The Naestors have hoarded wealth, and there was talk at first about plundering their kingdom and leaving them in poverty. But I thought you would not approve, so it was not made a condition of the Covenant of Muirwood, as we are calling it.”
Maia smiled, feeling her heart swell with love and admiration. “You know my heart, Richard.” She turned and touched Collier’s arm. “What do you advise, my lord?”
“We cannot change the past,” he said softly. “We can only move forward. I say we forgive the Naestors. They have been cruelly duped by the Victus. They see now that they are guilty of the most grievous murders. They need time to heal, Maia. They need to know how the Medium feels when it is not forced. Some of the chieftains said they should be our slaves to repair the damage.” He shook his head, chuckling. “We knew you would not accept those terms.”
“You are right. I accept the terms of the covenant,” Maia said. “If they will agree, then I will set the sun.” She gave Richard a small smile, smoothing the fabric of her gown. “Make it thus so, Chancellor.”
Maia and Collier walked hand in hand into the Queen’s Garden as the sun slipped down past the wall. Though a new day should have been dawning, they were instead moments away from a second sunset.